Personal Support Worker students pose for a class photo at Herzing College in Ottawa (2019)
Updated January 2023
Looking for a health care career that doesn't require years of training, but allows you to make a huge difference in people's lives? Becoming a personal support worker (PSW) could be your ideal choice.
You can earn a PSW diploma in just nine months. By the time you graduate, you'll have all the skills needed to get hired at a hospital, long-term care facility, or home-care company.
Photo: Personal Support Worker students pose for a class picture at Herzing College (2019)
Updated January 2024
What's inspiring you to become a personal support worker (PSW)? In our experience working with PSW students, there's usually a couple of key reasons people gravitate toward this career.
One is the high demand for PSWs in Ontario and throughout many parts of Canada. If you're looking for a stable health care career, this is an excellent choice. Our aging population is expected to continue creating jobs for PSWs well into the future.
Another top motivator is the one-to-one time personal support workers get to spend with clients. If you're looking for more than "just a job" and want to make a real connection with people, PSW is the obvious choice.
But, like all careers, becoming a personal support worker comes with certain challenges. What should you know before you invest in training, and start down this path?
Take a look at the most common pros and cons of working as a personal support worker, and see if this role is right for you.
Updated January 2024
We've all heard the news and read the stats. Canada's health care system is stretched to the limit. We don't have enough long-term care beds, there aren't enough medical professionals, and we don't know how we'll care for our growing population of seniors.
It's no surprise that in the middle of this challenge, we've seen demand for personal support workers skyrocket.
Updated January 2024
Inspired to begin a career in health care? Looking at your local training options?
Many students are attracted to personal support worker (PSW) training because of the direct focus on patient care, flexible work schedules, and high level of demand across Canada for PSWs. Students also like this program because it's quite short (usually less than 12 months) and is an excellent entry point for other healthcare careers, such as nursing.
Thinking you might enrol in PSW training this year? Before you sign up for a program, take some time to consider what it takes to succeed in this field, the skills you'll focus on in training, and your local job prospects.
Read on to make sure you're a good fit for the PSW career path.
Updated January 2023
There are so many factors that can influence our relationship with food as we age. For example, while caring for seniors after PSW training, you will meet patients who have lost their sense of smell and taste, making mealtime far less appealing.
Updated January 2023
The vast majority of personal support workers (PSWs) in Ontario work with seniors. In fact, it's our rapidly aging population that is driving such a strong demand for PSWs across the province. The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts excellent employment opportunities for personal support workers right across Ontario.
Personal support workers play (and will continue to play) an absolutely vital role in helping Canadian seniors maintain independence and quality of life as they age.
Updated January 2023
Personal support workers play a central role in the lives of their clients. They provide the assistance patients need to maintain independence, cope with debilitating medical conditions, and achieve the highest possible quality of life.
PSWs help with important everyday tasks, like administering medication, providing assistance with grooming, planning and preparing healthy meals, coordinating social activities, monitoring changes in condition, and supervising prescribed therapeutic exercises.
The PSW-patient relationship is, by definition, close and personal. And as with all close relationships, conflicts can arise.
How should PSWs deal with patients who push them away or resist help? How can you maintain professionalism and serve your client's best interests, when faced with disruptive and upsetting behavior?
Start with these five steps. These are the approaches front-line health care providers often use when dealing with difficult patients.
Updated January 2023
Death and dying are everyday realities for personal support workers. Many PSWs care for seniors in their homes, or in long-term care facilities, where an estimated 20 per cent of residents pass away each year.
PSWs often provide end-of-life care, where they specialize in helping clients (and their families) with life's final transition. But despite all of this direct experience, personal support workers still struggle with loss when a client dies.
Updated January 2023
Enrolled in PSW training and nearing the end of your diploma? It's likely you're looking ahead to your employment options after graduation, and for support systems to help get your career rolling.
If you live in Ontario, you've probably heard of the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association—OPSWA. It's an organization new grads and experienced PSWs can join to get professional support, and push for greater recognition for PSWs across the province.
But what exactly does OPSWA do, how might you benefit from joining the network, and what does it take to get a membership?
Updated January 2023
Looking ahead to your job options after PSW college? Still deciding which kind of healthcare setting would best suit your particular preferences and skillset?
Two of the most common employers for PSWs are nursing homes and home care companies. While personal support workers provide similar services in both work environments, there are some unique differences students should be aware of.
